FFor Bayer Leverkusen the dream of the first German championship comes true, FC Bayern Munich is threatened by the end of an unprecedented series of titles: the well-deserved 3-0 (1-0) in the main match of the Bundesliga means that coach Xabi Alonso's team is ahead, the record champion has grown to an impressive five points. After 27 wins in 31 competitive matches this season, Leverkusen remain unbeaten.
Bayern, who have always been champions for the last eleven years, lost an important match between first and second in the table for the first time in 21 games.
Of all, the player on loan from Bayern, Josip Stanisic, born in Munich, put Leverkusen ahead with his first goal of the season in the 18th minute. The other full-back, Alejandro Grimaldo, of whom Bayern's honorary president, Uli Hoeneß, He said during the week that “no one knew him” until the transfer from Bayer, increased in the 50th minute. Jeremie Frimpong (90th + 5) contributed the last point.
The tension before the game was palpable. “Pants down and cards on the table,” said Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel. Bayer could have sold 180,000 tickets. But the match started eight minutes late because fans threw all kinds of balls onto the field in protest against the German Football League's investment plans, and the football world watched.
First opportunity for Bayer
Bayern had the go-ahead on Manuel Neuer on Friday night. The national goalkeeper was able to play despite his knee problems. Joshua Kimmich was at least substituted after his shoulder injury, Dayot Upamecano was used from the beginning due to his recovered muscle fiber tear. Winter signing Sacha Boey was in the starting lineup for the first time. At Bayer, Alonso made four changes from the 3-2 Cup victory against VfB Stuttgart. Surprisingly, Frimpong, Jonas Hofmann and Patrick Schick had to go to the bench.
In the duel between the two teams that not only have the most points in the league, but also more successes, fewer goals conceded and more possession of the ball, Bayern initially took command. However, Bayer had the first opportunity when Amine Adli finished too quickly after a rebound from Upamecano (11th).
After a quarter of an hour, Bayer broke through and quickly took the lead. Initially, Neuer made a strong save against Adli after a save by Minjae Kim, but after the next throw-in and a cross from Robert Andrich, Stanisic was free at the far post and took the lead. He rejected the congratulations of his teammates, probably out of respect for his parent club, but at least he sent a thank you and a kiss on the hand to heaven.
Bayern were momentarily offside. Neuer avoided a quick 2-0 with good saves against Nathan Tella after a direct pass (23') and against Jonathan Tah after a header (24'). Adli missed his best chance when he ran towards the goal alone, but let Upamecano deflect the ball with his foot (42'). Bayern only had one viable opportunity before the break thanks to Leroy Sané (43').
After the change, Thomas Müller entered the field as a substitute in the yellow shirt and spoke to the scorer Harry Kane, who was completely offside until seconds before kick-off. But instead of an equalizer, Leverkusen's second goal came quickly when Grimaldo fired a shot under the crossbar after a good one-two with Tella.
A few minutes later, Tuchel brought on Müller and Kimmich. The Munich team won more and more games, but could hardly create significant chances. On the other hand, Frimpong hit the post (88th) and shortly before the end he completed a counterattack towards the empty Bayern goal. Neuer had previously entered the Bayer penalty area to take a corner.